Things You Need To Know About Melasma

What is Melasma?Melasma is a very common patchy brown, tan, or blue-gray facial skin discoloration, usually seen in women in the reproductive years. It typically appears on the upper cheeks, upper lip, forehead, and chin of women 20-50 years of age. Although possible, it is uncommon in males. Most of those with melasma are women. It is thought to be primarily related to external sun exposure, external hormones like birth control pills, and internal hormonal changes as seen in pregnancy. Most people with melasma have a history of daily or intermittent sun exposure, although heat is also suspected to be an underlying factor. Melasma is most common among pregnant women, especially those of Latin and Asian descents. People with olive or darker skin, like Hispanic, Asian, and Middle Eastern individuals, have higher incidences of melasma. Source:MedicineNet

DiagnosisA doctor will diagnose melasma simply by looking at your skin. Your medical history will help to determine any factors that may have caused the disorder.

Your doctor may use a special lamp that gives off ultraviolet light. This allows the doctor to see patterns and depth of skin discoloration more clearly. Source:Health.Harvard

TreatmentFor some women, melasma disappears on its own. This typically occurs when it’s caused by pregnancy or birth control pills.

There are creams your doctor can prescribe that can lighten the skin. Your doctor might also prescribe topical steroids to help lighten the affected areas. If these don’t work, chemical peels, dermabrasion, and microdermabrasion are possible options. These treatments strip away the top layers of skin and may help lighten dark patches.

These procedures don’t guarantee that the melasma won’t come back, and some cases of melasma cannot be completely lightened. You might have to return for follow-up visits and follow certain skin treatment guidelines to reduce the risk of the melasma returning. These include minimizing your sun exposure and wearing sunscreen. Source:Healthline

We can treat melasma with the help of state-of-the-art laser equipment. For more information, contact us today!